The Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes begins on Friday, led by Archbishop Cushley. We spoke to Scott Johnston, 52, a volunteer nurse on this year’s Archdiocesan Lourdes pilgrimage, to find out more about the brilliant care and support that the sick and infirm assisted pilgrims receive.
What is the main role of a volunteer nurse in Lourdes?
Pilgrimage nurses undertake a variety of roles across the year. All of our team are primarily focused on providing 24-hour nursing care whilst we are in Lourdes. We are also involved in meeting with assisted pilgrims and their families before travelling to discuss care needs and how this will be provided in the St Frai (the accommodation for assisted pilgrims). The Nursing Team deliver training sessions to support existing and new volunteers. I usually travel independently to Lourdes and help to set up our section of the St Frai before our pilgrimage group arrive. I then provide nursing care to pilgrims during the pilgrimage.
What is the best part of being a volunteer nurse?
I really enjoy being able to spend time with the assisted pilgrims and the other volunteers. As a pilgrimage nurse I also participate in all the masses and activities during the week. Lourdes allows me to use my clinical nursing skills in a way that I no longer do regularly in my day job in the NHS (National Maternity Improvement Advisor).
And the most challenging?
The week is very tiring, but it is also very enjoyable, so that makes up for it!
What kind of professional care do assisted pilgrims get?
The care we provide varies depending on the need of the pilgrim. This can include personal care, medication administration and assisting with eating and drinking. The nursing team are also responsible for dealing with any emergency situations that may occur (this is not very often).
From your experience, what parts of the pilgrimage do assisted pilgrims enjoy the most?
When I speak with pilgrims, they all speak of the spiritual side of Lourdes, the activities and the companionship as the parts they enjoy the most.
What support do volunteer nurses get in their role?
We have preparation meetings and training sessions. As a team we are very conscious of the variety of skills that we all have and we work very closely to support each other before and during the pilgrimage.
What feedback have you had from the families of assisted pilgrims about their experience in Lourdes? The feedback from families that I have had is very positive. Many families end up joining the pilgrimage in future years!
How do I find out more about this year’s pilgrimage?
Go to the www.edinburgh-lourdes.com which has all the info on this year’s pilgrimage.
Ahead of the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes on Friday, we share fascinating insight into a 19th century pilgrimage from Edinburgh to Lourdes reveals the devotion of Scotland's Catholics to Our Lady.
Around 100 lay people from across Scotland travelled together in September 1899, along with nearly 30 priests.
A report of the pilgrimage describes their "tears of joy" as they took part in the famous torchlight procession at the French holy site.
A photo of the pilgrims in Lourdes has been shared by Donald Shaw, a longtime Lourdes Pilgrim himself, and a former principal teacher at Holy Rood High School.
It was on the pilgrimage that his grandfather, Donald Stuart Shaw, manager of the Ben Nevis distillery in Fort William, met future wife Belle Barnard of Edinburgh (both highlighted, above).
The Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage was led by Archbishop Angus MacDonald of St Andrews & Edinburgh (pictured bottom left, seated between Bishop James Augustine Smith (Dunkeld Diocese, right) and Bishop Aeneas Chisholm (Aberdeen Diocese, left). Bishop Smith would later become Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh from 1900-28.
The Pilgrims first visited Paris, which included a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral.
They then headed to Lourdes with the report in The Tablet stating: "All credit is given for the cheerful manner in which they bore the great fatigue of the twenty hours' journey".
The report continues: "The first glimpse of the church of Lourdes, as its bright lights broke through the darkness of night, was hailed with an enthusiastic singing of ‘Hail Queen of Heaven.’
"During the five days' stay at Lourdes the pilgrims from Scotland occupied the place of honour in the various processions.
"On the Feast of the Nativity, the Archbishop carried the Blessed Sacrament in a procession which had a congregation of 50,000.
“The thrilling hymns, the long line of invalids on couches, the living faith and the stirring sermons, all combined to produce a scene of religious splendour never to be forgotten by those privileged to witness it.
"On the last day of the pilgrimage a Pontifical High Mass was sung by the Archbishop, the sanctuary being filled with a crowd of Scottish, Belgian, Irish, American, German and French priests.
"At the end of the Mass the magnificent banner of St Andrew with the Royal Arms of Scotland was laid on the steps before the high altar, and thus Scotland's tribute of devotion to the Mother of Jesus takes its place among the standards of the world which fulfils the words, 'Behold all nations shall call Me Blessed'.
"At the immense torch-light procession the Scots again led the procession with their three Bishops in front.
Cries were raised by the Belgians for God's blessings on the brave Scots.
"The scene baffled all description. The Aves of so many different nations, said by their tens of thousands as they moved round the beautifully illuminated buildings, rendered it impossible to restrain the tears of joy.
"Particularly impressive was the moment when Archbishop MacDonald was called upon to bless the immense multitude.
"A piper in full dress formed a striking figure."
"His voice rang through the air as the kneeling crowd responded, and then fervent faith prayers were said for the conversion of Scotland and the welfare of France.
"Cries were raised by the Belgians for God's blessings on the brave Scots, and this was most heartily responded to by ringing cheers for France and Belgium.
"Never will the Scottish pilgrims forget the hospitable reception accorded them.
"It was the pride of these faithful friends of Scotland to prove that they still remembered that both nations once recognised the same faith and were the children of the beautiful and beloved Sovereign, Mary Queen of Scots.
"Headed again by the piper as he played his lament, the pilgrims bade farewell to Lourdes, each repeating, 'If God spares me, I will visit Lourdes again.'"
The Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place 11-18 July 2025, led by Archbishop Cushley. This article was first published in March 2025.
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage
This annual event takes place at St Patrick's in The Cowgate, Edinburgh, on Sunday 21 September 2025. This year we mark the centenary of her death. Schedule to follow.
Good Friday: 'Jesus the Truth'
Here is the Homily of Archbishop Leo Cushley on The Passion of the Lord, Good Friday, St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh.
***
My dear friends,
Last night in our celebration of the Lord’s Supper we accompanied the Lord as he began to tread the Via Dolorosa, the way of pain that leads Him to the Cross.
Today, he continues along that Way, humbly, willingly, for us.
Externally, he appears powerless, a victim, an innocent, powerless lamb led to the slaughter with no one to vindicate Him.
There is no one to rescue Him, no one to argue on His behalf, or offer a word or a gesture that can save Him.
There appears to be nothing he Himself can offer to say or do that will spare His life.
"On the Cross, Jesus reveals Himself as the Truth...He is the dazzling reality of the God who sets us free in His victory on the Cross." - Archbishop Leo Cushley. pic.twitter.com/PuFVROfa8U
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) April 18, 2025
In mockery he takes the place of Barabbas, a murderer, a revolutionary, and yet he is the precise opposite: he is someone who brings life, not death, someone who wishes, not to destroy but to build up and to bless and to heal.
Jesus appears powerless in the face of raw power: three very different, competing interests combine to destroy Him:
the local authorities are satisfied to accept a flimsy accusation of blasphemy;
Herod wishes, cruelly, merely to be entertained, and cares little that someone will get killed in the process;
and Pilate, the one man in Palestine with the power of life and death, the representative of the Roman state, a state proud of the rule of law in its empire, ultimately, eventually gives in to the mob.
The injustices and falsehoods pile up and triumph. Where is the truth in any of this?
At a crucial moment, Pilate poses this very question, the question about truth.
Pilate’s question appears at first almost casual, but it is a well-placed one.
In interview with Jesus, Pilate asks Him: “Are you the king of the Jews? […] Your own people have handed you over, what have you done?”
Jesus says, “I have stood up for the truth.”
And famously, Pilate replies “Truth? What is truth?”
This being St John’s Gospel, there are of course several things going on here all at once.
Pilate is an educated man, he knows philosophy, he knows that this could make for an interesting academic conversation.
But here, his comment is ultimately rhetorical, and he can hardly be thinking of conducting a discussion about truth.
This is not the place and time.
He can see that truth is secondary to what is unfolding here.
More likely is that he is working out how to keep the peace; if he should spare Jesus from death, and if it’s going to lead to a riot, and less about if it’s the right thing to do.
So, at first, he tells the mob that he finds no case.
By this, he tests the water, but he quickly realizes that Jesus’s death is the only way to restore calm - and so Jesus is condemned to death for pragmatism, convenience, for the sake of the peace.
What this also means of course is that truth is irrelevant. The authorities press their demands, the mob threaten a riot, and the innocent die. Truth is nowhere to be seen.
Except that in the midst of this injustice, Truth is present; but it is hiding in plain sight. Truth is standing there before them all.
St John is telling us that Jesus Christ is the Truth. He not only speaks the truth, or represents the truth.
Jesus is the Truth. He tells us that He came into the world for this.
Jesus Christ is the Truth of the Most High God, and the truth will set us free.
And it’s not 24 hours since Jesus, the night before, told Thomas and the Apostles “I am the truth”.
Jesus Christ is the Truth of the Most High God, and the truth will set us free.
So that, even as Jesus is bound, arrested, and condemned before Pilate, even as He is shortly to be taken, bound, to the Cross, and to be nailed to it in mockery and to die an impotent spectacle, He is the one setting everyone free.
On the Cross, Jesus reveals Himself as the Truth, and that Truth sets us free.
The objective, simple truth, the reality here, is that the Son of God willingly and purposefully dies and does so for us all.
The Truth revealed in the person of Jesus stands before Pilate. Today, that Truth is not to be found in Roman law, or the caprice of the mob, or the expedient politics of the day.
Jesus Christ, is the Way, our way through death to life.
And today He is the Truth: He the dazzling reality of the God who sets us free in His victory on the Cross.
Holy Thursday: 'Jesus the Way'
Archbishop Cushley tonight celebrated Mass of the Lord's Supper, which marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum.
It is an important time for the Church because at the last supper Jesus instituted the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Faith.
Holy Thursday: The Blessed Sacrament is taken to the Altar of Repose at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh. The Cathedral remains open for prayer at the Altar of Repose until 11:30pm. pic.twitter.com/H8p0U8597o
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) April 17, 2025
He also washed the feet of his disciples as an example of loving service to others and that is what priests do at the Holy Thursday Mass.
Archbishop Cushley said: "Tonight we accompany Jesus on his way to Calvary.
"We anticipate his sacrifice on the Cross; we do so solemnly this evening in communion with him and with all Christians throughout the world; and we keep in mind its intimate links with what will take place tomorrow.
"Tonight, in the Eucharist, Jesus becomes for us not only food for the journey, but the very Way for us."
***
Homily of Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 17 April 2025
My dear friends,
Tonight we accompany Jesus on his way to Calvary.
We start with the Lord at table at the Last Supper, the origins of the celebration of the Eucharist so central to our memory of the Lord, keeping his memory alive and his presence among us in the Eucharist.
As Catholics, we see clearly the link between the Lord’s Supper and the Cross on Calvary and, knowing the trajectory of the story, we can see that it is a way that leads from the Upper Room, to Calvary, to the tomb, and indeed to the empty tomb.
And the whole three days are a kind of a “way”.
The Way
We sometimes refer to events tomorrow, Good Friday, in Jerusalem as the via Dolorosa or the via Crucis or the Way of the Cross.
But the term “the way” was also one of the very earliest equivalent names for “the Church”, and we find it in the Acts of the Apostles and elsewhere.
But the use of the word the “way” that we find even there, and about being faithful to the “way” has overtones of something else.
Clearly “the way” can suggest a manner of living, or a means to reach a place or purpose or object.
In that case, “the way” becomes an early stand-in for a word like “community” or “assembly”, it works well, and did so for a time in the early days of the Church.
But “the way” as a term also takes us back to something very important that Jesus says to the Apostles, while talking with Philip and Thomas at the last Supper, in fact tonight.
Just before the passage we heard in tonight’s gospel, Jesus says to the Apostles, “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me […] and you know the way where I am going”.
Thomas replies to this, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going, so how can we know the way?” And Jesus replies, “I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through me.” He then turns to Philip and adds, “From now on you know the Father and you have seen him.”
Two essential things for us emerge from this that we ought to keep in mind across all these three days.
First of all, we should remember that Jesus is the Son of God and that in him we see God himself. To see him is to see God.
Not only that, this means that God himself is going to his death for us on Calvary tomorrow, and that he anticipates the sacrifice of the Cross here and now, at the Last Supper, tonight.
The second thing for us to keep in mind is that Jesus isthe Way: he is God among his people, showing us, not just a way to live but a way to life, the way to life eternal in Jesus Christ.
This Way, the way to life, does not eliminate the pain of life or the necessity of death, but it transforms death from a dead end into a passage, a passing through death that leads us to life in Christ.
Food for the journey
One of the most beautiful rites that we have as Catholics is when we are able to receive holy Communion before we die.
The prayers are particularly powerful and describe the Eucharist as “food for the journey”, the journey through death and into life.
For this reason, we call it Viaticum, that is, quite literally, food for the journey. And tonight, we have a chance to see how this fits perfectly into our understanding of what the Lord does here at table, the night before he dies.
Our Eucharist tonight is viaticum, it is food for the journey, as we anticipate and associate ourselves with the Lord’s terrible and wonderful journey through suffering and death, and into life.
Tonight, then, Jesus anticipates his passage through death on the Cross tomorrow, in the Last Supper celebrated now.
In it, we can anticipate his sacrifice on the Cross; we do so solemnly this evening in communion with him and with all Christians throughout the world; and we keep in mind its intimate links with what will take place tomorrow.
Tonight, in the Eucharist, Jesus becomes for us not only food for the journey, but the very Way for us.
The Lord’s Supper tonight is not just a way to live but a way to life, the way to life eternal in Jesus Christ.
Clergy gather for Chrism Mass
More than 70 priests gathered at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh last night for the annual Chrism Mass.
The Chrism Mass is where the bishop consecrates the sacred chrism (a mixture of olive oil and balsam) and blesses the other holy oils (oil of catechumens and oil of the sick).
Deacon John Smith hold aloft one of the oils that is blessed by Archbishop Cushley.
These oils are then taken home by priests and appointed parish volunteers for use in the parish over the year.
The Chrism Mass is a sign of the close bond between the bishop and the priests of the diocese, and priests renew their commitment to their ministry.
Clergy from the Archdiocese renew their priestly promises.
In his Homily, Archbishop Cushley said: "As the clergy renew their promises this evening...may we who already have the gift of the Spirit learn again to let the living Lord speak to us in the depths of our hearts; and, encouraged and strengthened by that indwelling gift, may we in our turn give the warmest of welcomes to those joining us this Easter."
Homily of Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh, Chrism Mass, 15 April 2025, St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Edinburgh
My dear brother deacons and priests, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
A very warm welcome to our Chrism Mass in this Jubilee Year, dedicated by the Holy Father to the theme of hope.
This celebration not only distinguishes us in our various services to each other, it also gathers us in unity around our High Priest, Jesus Christ.
Archbishop Cushley welcomes the hundreds of people who attended last night's Chrism Mass.
We have all been anointed, we all share the same Spirit, we have all been called, ultimately, to the same dignity, that is, Life with Christ.
We take our different places, as St Paul says, in Christ’s Mystical Body, but always with a view to the same end, the same good, the same purpose: union with Christ, and its essential corollary, union with each other.
And union with each other is no mere optional extra. Christianity is not a private relationship.
The sign of peace that we offer each other, during Mass, is no mere handshake or peck on the cheek.
The Spirit is at hand in each one of us, to comfort and encourage, and to strengthen hearts and limbs that are weary.
It is a sign of communion with Christ and with each other, a modest token to be sure, but the sign of an eternal and solemn pledge of love, of loyalty, and of union with all present as we gather in the Spirit around our living Lord Jesus Christ.
The Spirit that we receive then, especially in the Sacrament of Confirmation, is like the mortar that builds us poor, small, living stones into a great spiritual house, fit for the Most High God to dwell in.
Front from left: Fr James Cadman, Fr Davide Redaelli, Fr Adrian Porter SJ, Fr Jamie Boyle, Fr Robert Taylor.
That loyalty towards each other often goes unremarked, unsaid, until tests of it come along, and of course, tests do come, sometimes from within and sometimes from without. They come in the form of words and gestures and actions, intended or not.
They come in scandal that dismays us, they wound a pride or self-regard that is never far from the surface.
Then our love and loyalty can be tested bitterly, but at such times, we need to remember that the Spirit, which was poured so generously into our hearts, is not a distant souvenir of an event long past; the Spirit is alive and active among us.
It is a Spirit of comfort, of healing, of gladness; it is a Spirit that brings good news, and a joy to be shared by the whole people.
The Spirit is at hand in each one of us, to comfort and encourage, and to strengthen hearts and limbs that are weary.
If only we would learn to be still again before the Lord, to be trusting, humble and open in His presence, and to listen to the Spirit that is within us, ready to refresh, console and inspire us anew.
As we hear today, in a passage from Isaiah, sought out and read to us by the Lord Himself as he stands in the synagogue in Nazareth, the Spirit of the Lord is upon us, today, here and now. It is a Spirit of comfort, of healing, of gladness; it is a Spirit that brings good news, and a joy to be shared by the whole people.
This year is a Holy Year, and so it is also a time of liberty from the bonds of sin and sadness, as the Holy Father has emphasised, a Jubilee Year dedicated to hope.
We see deeply troubling events unfolding in the world in these days, and we must wonder sometimes what there is to be hopeful about, but the Lord is still at hand to assist us.
Men and women of goodwill, inside the Church and outside it, still work to identify the common good, and having identified it, to pursue it and to promote it.
The bullies, and the powerful will one day reap their just desserts.
Deacon Douglas Robertson (Ss John Cantius & Nicholas, Broxburn) reads the Gospel.
And the just will receive the reward of their patience and their labours and their goodness.
This is the message of this jubilee year, and it is the message of our Chrism Mass texts.
The spirit of the Lord has come abundantly upon our Lord Jesus, as he has shared that same Spirit with all of us here today.
As the clergy renew their promises this evening, and as the whole diocese prepares to welcome hundreds of new Catholics into the Church this Easter Vigil, many of them young adults, may we who already have the gift of the Spirit learn again to let the living Lord speak to us in the depths of our hearts; and, encouraged and strengthened by that indwelling gift, may we in our turn give the warmest of welcomes to those joining us this Easter.
Thank you for listening, and may God bless all your preparations for the Triduum!
Holy Week 2025
Here's is information about the Sacred Triduum at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, along with other events happening in Holy Week.
Monday Stations of the Cross. Includes a reflection from Bishop Frank Dougan of the Diocese of Galloway. 7:45pm on Zoom. Register: http://bit.ly/stations25
Pergolesi Stabat Mater by Genevieve Evans and Emma Hocking, St Mary's Cathedral, 7:30pm.
On Monday of Holy Week, 14 April at 7:30pm, join us for a performance of Pergolesi’s famous Stabat Mater.
The work will be sung by the Schola Cantorum's Genevieve Evans (soprano) and Emma Hocking (alto), with organ accompaniment by Tom Wilkinson. pic.twitter.com/s0Xta0DoLq
— Music at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral (@MusicatStMarysC) April 3, 2025
Tuesday Chrism Mass, St Mary's Cathedral, 7:00pm. Archbishop Cushley will bless the oils to be used in parish celebrations of the Sacraments while priests renew the promises made at ordination.
Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Archbishop Cushley at 7:00pm in St Mary's Cathedral.
Good Friday
The Passion Liturgy with Archbishop Cushley at 3:00pm in St Mary's Cathedral (for those who cannot attend, there will be Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm). A day of fasting and abstinence.
Please note that the Cathedral may only have standing room only. Other Good Friday services in the city:
Church of the Sacred Heart EH3 9DJ - Good Friday: 3:00pm.
St Patrick’s, Cowgate EH1 1TQ - Good Friday: 3:00pm.
St Mary, Star of the Sea EH6 6AW - Good Friday: 3:00pm.
Holy Saturday
Archbishop Cushley will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00pm and 12 catechumens and 21 candidates will be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church.
Please note that the Cathedral may only have standing room only on Holy Saturday. Other services in the city:
Church of the Sacred Heart EH3 9DJ Easter Vigil: 8:00pm.
St Patrick’s, Cowgate EH1 1TQ Easter Vigil: 8:30pm.
St Mary, Star of the Sea EH6 6AW Easter Vigil: 7:30pm.
Easter Sunday
Archbishop Cushley will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at midday in St Mary's Cathedral.
Pathways to Pentecost - A Retreat in Daily Life
Explore the profound presence of God in every aspect of your life.
From the bustling city streets in the quiet moments of solitude.
Through prayer, meditation and reflection, uncover the sacredness within the ordinary and deepen your connection to the Divine.
Pray daily, meet weekly. Register here. To find out more please email Fr David Stewart SJ at ejcretreats@jesuit.org.uk
Opening Session
Sunday 4 May, 5.15pm at Edinburgh Jesuit Church, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh.
Hosted by the Edinburgh Jesuit Centre. FAQs below.
What is a retreat in daily life? A retreat in daily life is time set aside over a number of weeks for prayer and reflection which is designed to fit alongside you usual work and home routine.
Who is a retreat for?
A retreat is for any Christian who wishes to deepen their prayer and know better Jesus Christ and the action of God in their lives. All you need is an openness to the experience and method of the retreat and generosity in setting aside the time needed each day for prayer for the duration of the retreat.
How long does the retreat last?
We offer retreats in daily life of different lengths - from three weeks to six weeks or more.
What do I have to do?
The commitment for the retreat in daily life is . . .
to set aside 20-30 minutes each day for prayer
to meet once a week and at the start of the retreat with your prayer guide
to come to the opening and closing sessions of the retreat
Prayer
You do not have to be an expert in prayer, or very confident about prayer, or already know how to meditate to do a retreat. Your prayer guide will help you understand how to pray better and will suggest material to pray with. What they suggest will be tailored to you, your own experience and circumstances.
Prayer Guides
It is important to have someone who is trained and experienced accompany you through your retreat. Your prayer guide will provide material for your prayer and meditation. What you discuss with them remains confidential.
Workshops We offer workshops alongside the retreat. These focus on different methods of prayer and may be especially helpful if you are not particularly sure about how to pray or meditate in the Christian tradition or want to try new ways of praying. The workshops are optional and not necessary to do the retreat in daily life well.
How much does it cost?
We do not charge for the retreat in daily life. However, we do incur costs and so welcome a donation if you are able to make one.
SATURDAY: Youth Day
Archbishop Cushley is encouraging parents to register their child(ren) for a Youth Day hosted by the Archdiocese this Saturday (12 April).
The event takes place at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB from 11:00am to 3:00pm and includes sessions for primary pupils (8+) and high school pupils.
Archbishop Cushley said: "As we prepare to celebrate Palm Sunday and the sacred days of Holy Week, I invite you to register your child(ren) to this special youth event.
Archbishop Cushley encourages you to register your child(ren) for our Youth Day this Saturday! Go to https://t.co/cdb5ilqJA6
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) April 8, 2025
"The day will be filled with games, inspiring workshops, and dedicated time for prayer.
"This event is not just about fun and learning; it's about building relationships—both with Christ and with each other.
"By attending, your child will be strengthened in their faith as we prepare spiritually in the days leading up to Easter.
"Let’s inspire our young people to live out the joy and hope of the Resurrection.
"Thank you for your continued support of your child's faith journey.
"I look forward to seeing them at the event and sharing this blessed time together."
Register your child for the event atbit.ly/youthpalm. Free parking onsite.
Grants will help repair two historic churches
St Mary’s Cathedral and St Margaret’s Chapel in Edinburgh have each received a £10k grant to help with repairs.
St Mary's Cathedral
The grant from the National Churches Trust will support the Cathedral's efforts to fix defective slates and replace the lead in the roof that has resulted in water damage.
Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Cathedral Administrator, said: “The ongoing water damage, particularly to the ceiling of the Sacristy, has been a major concern.
"Without urgent repairs, the safety of the building and its visitors would be at risk, so the generous £10,000 grant from the National Churches Trust is most welcome.
St Mary's Cathedral and St Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh receive urgent repair grantshttps://t.co/uZkvxzgUPl
“We are a busy city centre church community and it’s important to us to have our doors open 365 days a year to offer a quiet space for reflection, prayer and daily Mass."
The Cathedral is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the UK and is where the national shrine of St Andrew is located.
St Margaret's Chapel
There is cracked masonry in the exterior walls that has led to water penetrating the Category A Listed St Margaret’s Chapel at The Gillis Centre on Strathearn Road.
Archbishop Cushley said: “St Margaret’s Chapel is a special place for the Archdiocese.
"It is a quiet sanctuary, a reminder of our past, and a space for reflection and prayer at the regular events we host.
"The urgent need for roof and masonry repairs was becoming a serious concern, so the £10,000 grant will make a real difference.
"It means we can protect the building’s structural integrity and provide peace of mind to the visitors and staff who use the chapel.”
The £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation will go towards repairing the roof and masonry to prevent further water damage.
The chapel – opened in 1825 – is home to important heritage, such as stunning stained glass windows by Pugin and a beautiful high altar.
Support
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: "The National Churches Trust is delighted to be able to support St Margaret’s Chapel and St Mary’s Cathedral to enable them to carry out urgent repairs.
“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship or explore, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.”
The Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme allows listed churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals to reclaim VAT on urgent repair projects.
It has helped 13,000 places of worship since it was introduced in 2001, the vast majority of them churches.
Manage Consent
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies. Read More
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.